2010 - 2011 Master of Professional Communication Courses

MPC

600

Communication Ethics and the Mass Media

(3)

Provides theoretical and historical background for understanding present-day social, political, and ethical contexts of journalism, advertising, and public relations. An introductory unit on ethics leads to analysis of ethical considerations in these communication fields.

MPC

601

Visual Communication

(3)

Explores basic theories of visual perception as contexts for the study of visual messages. Students identify principles that underlie their understanding and analysis of visual media, as well as develop written analyses of how visual messages communicate. The class encompasses specific aspects of visual communication such as photographs, information graphics, and the use of color.

MPC

602

Rhetorical Theory and Practice

(3)

Introduces students to the history of rhetoric and addresses critical analysis and practical application relevant to professional communication. Readings trace the evolution of rhetorical theory and outline strategies for producing effective rhetorical communication. Students develop skills in persuasion and critical thinking.

MPC

603

Advanced Rhetorical Theory and Practice

(3)

Continues to explore histories, theories, and practices of rhetoric. Readings focus on a more in-depth exploration of major rhetorical movements and theories introduced in MPC 602. Students use their enlarged understanding of history and theory to apply rhetorical principles to professional and personal communication, particularly in writing. Prerequisite: MPC 602.

MPC

605

Communication Theory

(3)

Surveys various communication theories and the practice of theory building. Learners engage selected theories representative of traditional, contemporary, and innovative communication theory while developing fluency in communicating the relationships between theories and worldviews.

MPC

609

Basic Editing Principles

(3)

Provides an intensive review of the foundations of the English language, with particular focus on understanding English grammar, eliminating grammatical errors, punctuating correctly, and constructing effective sentences. Students are introduced to the rhetorical effects of the choices that they make.

MPC

610

Professional and Technical Writing

(3)

Focuses on the principles of writing professionally and the application of those principles to specific writing projects. Students learn to plan and organize effectively, to write clearly, and to develop polished final products through revision. Prerequisite or co-requisite: MPC 609.

MPC

615

Advanced Professional and Technical Writing

(3)

Focuses on developing advanced skills in project planning, analysis, and design, in addition to honing students’ abilities to write persuasive, responsible, and accurate professional and technical documents. The course draws on knowledge gained in MPC 610, but moves beyond it to explore theories of writing for the purpose of applying more advanced methods of research, audience analysis, and document construction. Genres of writing may include business plans, formal reports, training materials, communication audits, policies and procedures, and documentation. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

MPC

616

Writing for Popular Publications

(3)

Introduces students to concepts particular to writing for lay readers. Students analyze pieces written for a variety of publications in preparation for writing query letters and various types of documents targeted for popular audiences. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

MPC

617

Writing for Peer-Reviewed Journals

(3)

Focuses on the organizational models and journal requirements unique to peer-reviewed publications. Students work in areas of subject-matter expertise or collaborate with other professionals in the preparation of manuscripts suitable for publication in professional journals. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

MPC

618

Advanced Professional Editing

(3)

Emphasizes substantive editing and applies editing principles to a number of editing projects, including a paper intended for a peer-reviewed journal. With a review of the microediting principles introduced in MPC 609 and a focus on rhetorical grammar, students apply knowledge of grammar, punctuation, organization, and design to a number of editing projects. Prerequisites: MPC 609, 610.

MPC

619

Grant Research and Writing

(3)

Emphasizes the management and research processes involved in writing a successful grant proposal. Students use both Internet research and traditional research methods to identify appropriate funding agencies and gather data for writing grant proposals. Potential projects include reviewing and evaluating grants, writing a grant proposal, and presenting a grant proposal. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

MPC

620

Organizational Communication

(3)

Takes an in-depth look into the theories and practices that govern the work world. The course covers various theories of organizational communication so students can better engage in and respond to organizational contingencies. Students will enhance their communication competency in areas such as interviews, résumé writing, and business presentation. This course emphasizes self-reflexivity to better understand and build on students’ self-presentation in organizations.

MPC

621

Leadership Communication

(3)

Emphasizes the discursive dimensions of leadership. Learners engage theory and practice in ways that foster a complex ethical understanding of how leadership communication functions in interpersonal, small-group, and organizational contexts.

MPC

622

Intercultural Communication

(3)

Focuses on communication of identities in U.S. American contexts. Learners engage issues of diversity and inclusivity in theory and practice while critically reflecting on personal responsibility, civic discourse, and the cultivation of sophisticated communication skills.

MPC

623

International Communication

(3)

Focuses on communication of identities in international contexts. Learners engage issues of globalization, development, and worldviews in theory and practice while critically reflecting on personal responsibility, human rights, and the development of advanced communication skills.

MPC

633

Writing for New Media

(3)

Introduces students to theoretical and practical complexities and practicalities of working with new media. The class discusses different formulations of what “new media” might mean, while reading a variety of important and mind-opening works about media and putting new knowledge into practice through various projects.

MPC

635

Design Principles and Desktop Publishing

(3)

Provides an overview of basic layout and design principles and hands-on training in professional desktop publishing software. Students apply their understanding of layout, design, and desktop publishing to the creation of a variety of publications. Typical projects might include the MPC newsletter, specialty advertising, corporate profiles, logo design, and packaging. Prerequisites: COMM 307 or consent of instructor.

MPC

636

Multimedia Systems

(1)

Focuses on advanced multimedia technologies in communication, education, and training. Students analyze numerous delivery systems, such as CD-ROM, digital audio and video, a variety of web-based media, and DVD.

MPC

637

Web Design and Production

(3)

Introduces students to the Internet, the World Wide Web, and their associated technologies. Students learn design and organizational principles that apply to electronic media and the Web. They also receive hands-on training in website development techniques. All students will create their own websites or work on group projects.

MPC

638

Digital Image Editing

(3)

Introduces students to digital imaging tools and techniques. Using appropriate software, students learn to create, modify, and combine digital images from a variety of sources, such as scanners, digital cameras, and stock photo services. Students also learn to integrate text and image material within the image editing software. Projects include design and production work for both print and electronic media.

MPC

639

Advanced Website Design

(3)

Develops skills in planning, producing, testing, promoting, evaluating, and maintaining a website for a business or other organization. Students learn to interact with clients from the perspective of a Web development team. Student teams plan, design, and produce websites for clients and develop deliverable items relevant to each phase of the development process. Prerequisite: MPC 637.

MPC

640

Communication Measurement and Evaluation

(3)

Covers a variety of methods by which the effectiveness of communication pieces can be measured. The class focuses on communication plans and strategies and on the use of survey instruments, usability tests, and focus groups in gathering information and evaluating communication effectiveness.

MPC

642

Project Planning and Management

(3)

Explores the facets of managing a documentation project from research and planning to implementation. Students apply project management theories related to scheduling and budgeting, managing multiple development cycles and deliverables, facilitating collaborative work groups, and establishing meaningful evaluation metrics to comprehensive, strategic communication projects.

MPC

643

Public Relations Writing and Planning

(3)

Helps students develop writing skills and produce public communication documents beyond the conventional press release. Students also study public communication models and theories and their application to an overall campaign in a professional setting.

MPC

644

Integrated Marketing Communications

(3)

Analyzes audiences, types of messages, and delivery methods to determine how to most effectively distribute messages to target markets. The focus is on integration (or synthesis) of marketing communication with strategic marketing.

MPC

645

International Public Relations

(3)

Introduces students to considerations faced when conducting public relations activities across political and cultural boundaries. The course examines trends in globalization, cultural and ethical issues, the dissemination of information in-country and internationally, international issues that can impact the organization, global branding, and the identification of information and PR resources.

MPC

646

Health Communication

(3)

Focuses on media’s role in shaping health behaviors. Taking a traditional approach to the effects of mass media, students examine how media campaigns change health behaviors like smoking, drinking, drug use, safe sex behaviors, HIV prevention, breast cancer awareness, and more. The class focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating health messages and a public health campaign.

MPC

652

Effective Presentations

(3)

Presents a theoretical and practical approach to delivering effective presentations. This course emphasizes techniques of public presentation which include organizing, supporting, and clearly articulating arguments. Students are expected to be able to assess the speaking situation, research and organize ideas for presentation, and develop sophisticated presentation skills.

MPC

656

Communication Law

(3)

Introduces students to the American legal system and how local, state, and federal laws and regulations impact the communication industries. The course covers the Constitutional underpinnings of freedom of speech, as well as the specific law in areas including copyright, access, and libel.

MPC

660

Publication Design

(1)

Explores the idea of what makes an effective, appealing publication from a layout, design, and organizational perspective. Basic publication design principles are discussed, and students apply those principles to a small hands-on project.

Presents basic-level techniques for Adobe Flash, examining examples of Flash usage and developing an understanding of what Flash can be used for in a Web or multimedia environment.

MPC

664

Field Project Proposal Writing

(1)

Helps students rhetorically analyze their audiences and provides an overview of the format, style, and content of proposals. With attention to appropriate models, students write their field project proposal for MPC 690. This class should be taken one or two semesters before students plan to enroll in MPC 690. Prequisite: MPC 610.

MPC

665

Public Relations Writing for Broadcast

(1)

Briefly introduces broadcast writing in public relations, with a focus on the public service announcement or PSA. Students learn the concept of the PSA and gain experience in writing PSA’s for radio.

MPC

666

Business Aspects of Freelance Writing and Editing

(1)

Focuses on the personal attributes, skills, and qualifications needed by those who undertake freelance careers in writing and editing. Those who are serious about a freelance career create a marketing plan and design their marketing materials; other students explore the steps needed to establish successful careers within more conventional communication settings.

MPC

667

Professional Portfolios

(1)

Focuses on assembly of a professional-quality portfolio that is appropriate for each student’s career goals. The portfolio may be either a traditional hard-copy version or an electronic version.

MPC

668

Directed Studies

(1–4)

Allows students to undertake independent research and readings on special topics not fully covered in the MPC program. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and school dean.

MPC

670

Managing Issues and Crises in the Organization

(1)

Focuses on raising awareness of how the management of public information impacts the origination and outcome of issues and crises. Students become acquainted with the nature of issues and crises, are introduced to some of the tools that can be used in managing information intended to advocate for or defend positions, and become more discerning observers/participants in the news.

MPC

674

Electronic Information Retrieval

(1)

Covers strategies for electronic research. Students learn how to write a research question, design a search, and execute it on the Web, Deep Web, and a variety of electronic databases.

MPC

675

Writing Public Science

(1)

Examines strategies for effectively communicating scientific information to lay audiences. Specifically, students analyze various works from scientists and science journalists in order to determine how to best communicate complex scientific information to public readers. The goal is to isolate specific strategies science writers can use to effectively help lay readers make key decisions about the science issues that affect their lives.

MPC

680

Special Topics in Professional Writing

(1–3)

MPC

681

Special Topics in Communication and Culture

(1–3)

MPC

682

Special Topics in Multimedia and Management

(1–3)

MPC

683

Special Topics in Strategic Communication

(1–3)

MPC

690

Field Project

(3)

Serves as the culmination of the MPC program. The field project can be an internship in a local business or agency, an actual field study of some communication function in the work place, or a major project including significant amounts of professional-quality writing, editing, and/or design. Students must plan the project with a communication faculty member and an outside professional. Prerequisites: 29 hours of coursework and approval of field project proposal by MPC program faculty.

MPC

699

Continuing Registration

(0)

Allows students to continue work on their field projects for two additional semesters. Students may enroll in MPC 699 for the two semesters following the semester in which they registered for MPC 690. If they have not completed the project by the end of the second semester of registration in MPC 699, they will receive a grade of NC for MPC 690. A fee of $250 is assessed each semester that students are registered in MPC 699.